Health professional schools generally seek students with strong preparation in the basic sciences, as well as a well-rounded education in the social sciences, the humanities and the arts. In general, successful applicants have high grade point averages (3.5 or better), excellent grades in the courses required for admission to medical programs and high scores on the required entrance examination (MCAT or DAT).

Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or employment experiences in health-care settings (e.g., a hospital, emergency room, community ambulance corps, research laboratory or emergency medical technician work). Shadowing a physician will allow you to witness the day-to-day experiences of a medical professional. Some students acquire experience in a medical setting by arranging an internship through URI's Internship Office in Taft Hall.

Most medical schools and other professional schools require a letter of recommendation from the Health Professions Advisor at your undergraduate institution. An evaluation by the Health Professions Advisory Committee is required for this recommendation, usually in the junior year. Application to medical schools and most other professional schools occurs in the summer of the calendar year preceding matriculation in the medical program.